Junkers Ju 52 - IWC Schaffhausen, HB-HOS, Switzerland

Corgi Aviation 1/72 Archive Collector Series AA36910

With the Ju 52 possessing the ability to perform both military and civilian applications, the immediate post war years saw several nations pressing this reliable aircraft into service, including three aircraft which were acquired and operated by the Swiss Air Force. These aircraft were given dual military and civilian registrations and would remain in service until finally sold to Dubendorf based civilian operator, Ju-Air, in 1982. One of these aircraft, HB-HOS, was for many years presented in the smart livery of Swiss prestige watch manufacturer, IWC Schaffhausen, a company which had been making high quality pilots' watches since the mid 1930s. Initially producing watches for civilian aviators who required a robust and accurate timepiece capable of withstanding the rigours of everyday use and temperature extremes. These watches are now some of the most desirable in the world, with previous releases much sought after amongst watch collectors. With a long standing association with the Junkers Ju 52 and their operation in Swiss service and especially with Ju-Air since their military retirement, this sponsorship arrangement helped to ensure these magnificent aircraft could continue flying long after their extensive miltary careers had ended.

Junkers Ju 52

The Ju-52 entered service in April 1931 as a troop transport and bomber. During the Spanish Civil War, it ferried troops from Morocco to Spain and dropped some 6,000 tons of bombs. The three-engine Ju-52 served as a 17-passenger airliner for many nations, most famously with the German Lufthansa. Nicknamed "Iron Annie," the Ju 52 was built of strong corrugated metal. For air defense and tactical ground support it was armed with multiple machine guns and was fitted with bomb racks capable of carrying 3,307 lbs of bombs. During WWII, 5,000 Ju-52s served in all fronts in a variety of roles, from troop transport to mine-laying.

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series

The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.

Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
• Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
• Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
• Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings